We were pleasantly surprised upon the arrival to our abode, an Airbnb cottage side-house. We passed through the blue green glass door and found a cozy and rustic one room oasis on a hill overlooking the LA skyline behind a few trees. We soon toured USC, one of the finest film schools in the world, with buildings donated by the likes of Steven Spielburg and George Lucas – Carissa

Our Silverlake Airbnb cabin in LA

Our Silverlake Airbnb cabin in LA

Our Silverlake Airbnb cabin in LA

USC tour

Sqirl

After all that touring, we starvingly headed towards a little unsuspecting cafe in the middle of a grungy area. Sqirl, made known to us by a barista we’d chatted up in hopes of finding the best food in town, after inspecting a few well known restaurants contenders in earning our presence. Never wanting to waste a precious meal, we decided to take a risk on Sqirl, which was started by a woman who made jams out of her home. Pulling up, we knew we’d arrived at the right place when we noticed it ambiguously had no sign out front just like Gjelina’s. After pouring over the menu, we decided upon a date scone with blueberry fennel jam, a lamb sandwich, and a meat pie. For dessert, we bit into chocolate toast. We went back the next day for porridge with hazlenuts, cream, and strawberry vanilla jam and a fried egg sandwich. We also bought a jar of jam, enjoying at home, each time remembering the fresh breeze, cherry blossom trees, and French inspired fare – Carissa

After resting at our cottage, we went out that evening for a movie at the El Capitan, a famous and historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Little did we know we were in for a magical experience complete with a pre-movie Magic show, following in line with the theme of Oz: The Great and Powerful. Afterwards, we enjoyed viewing real costumes and props from the show – Carissa

The El Capitan Movie Theater, Hollywood Boulevard

The El Capitan Movie Theater

The El Capitan Movie Theater

Thanks for sharing in our travels! We have included links to our favorite places below, I hope you try them if you are ever in the area, and if you do, tell us about your experience. Ronnie & Carissa